Derek Rasp Sidelined for UCSB's Weekend Games Against Cal State Northridge, Pacific

Jan 19, 2005

Jan. 19, 2005

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Derek Rasp, a walk-on freshman guard who started the last four games for UC Santa Barbara, will miss this weekend's games against Cal State Northridge and Pacific, after being diagnosed with a lung contusion, head coach Bob Williams announced today.

Rasp suffered the injury in the first half of Saturday's 67-62 win over visiting UC Davis. An Aggie player attempted a three-point shot from the corner, and as he came down off-balanced, he slipped underneath Rasp, taking the Gaucho guard out with him. Rasp landed hard on his right side, and although he played the remainder of the game, he continued experiencing pain in the ensuing days. He was diagnosed on Wednesday morning and will be reevaluated early next week.

"This is a difficult loss for us," Williams said. "Derek has been an extremely important player for us this season, and when he recovers he will be again. But right now, he just needs to get healthy, that's the most important thing."

The loss of Rasp leaves UCSB, 6-8 overall and 3-3 in the Big West, with just seven players available for the games against Cal State Northridge and Pacific. The Gauchos are also missing Cecil Brown (left ankle), Casey Cook (right foot), Chris Devine (left knee), David Kennedy (right leg), Chris Moore (academically ineligible) and Todd Follmer (freshman redshirt).